Callers Impersonating Sheriff's Detectives

Workers for a telemarketing company have been falsely identifying themselves as detectives from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office in an effort to pressure people into buying tickets to support the DARE program.

Monroe County Sheriff Dale Malone said he has received about five calls in the last few days from concerned residents who were pressured to buy tickets to a dance fundraiser for the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program known as DARE

“If people want to support DARE we have a DARE board and the money will go directly to help DARE in our community,” the sheriff’s said Friday.

The unknown telemarketing company is making calls to residents in Monroe County and when residents say they are not interested in buying tickets, the caller then identifies himself as a detective with the sheriff’s office.

“They are not affiliated with the sheriff’s office at all,” Sheriff Malone said. “It’s a soliciting company who is trying to suck people in to get involved.”

Sheriff Malone said he understands the Fraternal Order of the Police in Monroe will be soliciting money for a dance in the near future, but the sheriff’s office is not affiliated with that organization either.

“While we support DARE and its programs, we do not support the telemarketers calling residents,” the sheriff added. “We have been making calls to investigate this matter.”

Sheriff Malone reiterated if citizens want to help sponsor DARE, donations should be directed to the Monroe County DARE Advisory Board. DARE is a 10-week program for fifth-graders that teaches about the importance of staying away from drugs, alcohol, tobacco and other harmful products. In recent years, the program has also focused on anti-bullying efforts.